Combination fixture



March 1959 I R. E. BLETCHER ET m. 2,875,702

COMBINAT ION FIXTURE Filed Jan. 12. 1954 A24 I a a, I a I mm MM um. J 44; m

Pap/45, 545744-53 V/NG 4. d/ ea, k INVENTORS United States Patent COMBINATION FIXTURE Ralplr E. Bletcher and Irving A. Ward, Los Angeles,

Cahfi, assignors of small percentages to various assignees Application January 12, 1954, Serial No. 403,496

2 Claims. (Cl. 103-262) This invention relates to an improved combination fixture.

It is an object of this invention to provide a combination fixture embodying ejector means preventing leakage of water through one of multiple outlets when flow is directed through another outlet.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination fixture wherein ejector means are provided which can withstand a relatively high back pressure.

Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following description:

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation in section of a fixture embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a modified form of this invention.

Figure 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure l the fixture is provided with a housing 10. This housing has a water supply pipe 12 screwed into one extremity and a ball 14 screwed onto the opposite extremity. The housing 16 of a showerhead fits over ball 14 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

intermediate the extermities of the housing a flexible hose 18 is secured to said housing. This hose at its free end has a spray valve. This spray valve is preferably of the self-closing type illustrated in our copending application Bletcher et al., Serial Number 379,839 Self Closing Valve, now Patent No. 2,789,013, although any spray valve having means for closing off flow therethrough may be substituted.

The housing is divided into compartments 20 and 22 by a wall 24. A second wall 26 is spaced from wall 24 and joined thereto by web 28 having a port 30 therethrough. The nipple 32 screws into housing 10 between walls 24 and 26 and terminates at web 28. This nipple has a flow passage 34 and a larger passage 35 formed therein and also has a reduced circumference at its lower extremity to receive hose 18.

Provided in the nipple 32 in the portion thereof projecting into housing 10 are a plurality of radial slots 36 at least one of which communicates with port 38 of wall 24 irrespective of rotation of nipple 32 in housing 10. Thus when the manual spray valve at the extremity of hose 18 is opened permitting flow thereto water flows from chamber 20 through port 30 and flow passages 34 and 35 into hose 18 and out the spray valve. As this flow occurs air is drawn through the showerhead chamber 22, port 38 and slot 36 into flow passage 34.

This flow of water from one pressure chamber to anice other across an air gap prevents water dripping from the showerhead under reasonable operating conditions and pressures. It has been determined that the best performance is obtainable where the diameter of flow passage 34 is approximately three times the diameter of port 30. Under these conditions the pressure in hose 18 will be substantially half the pressure in chamber 20 and a substantial back pressure can build up in hose 18 before water will be forced into chamber 22 to drip out the showerhead.

Illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 is a modified form of this invention wherein like parts are given the same numerical designation with the addition of the exponent a. This embodiment is adapted for use with any form of spray valve on the extremity of the hose and preferably a selfclosing showerhead of the type described in the above identified copending application or some other type of showerhead which may be shut ott. In this form the ball 14a is mounted on a shaft 40 which screws into the housing 10a and has slots 36a formed therein along with a flow passage 42a therethrough. Nipple 32a screws into the housing 10a so that flow passage 34a aligns with port 44 in the housing which port 44 in turn is aligned with slots 36a. Thus when the water is turned on the showerhead is closed and water is delivered to the spray valve through port 44 flow passages 34a and 350. When the showerhead is opened flow is through flow passage 42a into enlarged passage or pressure chamber 46 and hence to the showerhead with air being drawn through slot 360 preventing leakage through the spray valve.

While What hereinbefore has been described is the preferred embodiment of this invention it is readily apparent that alterations and modifications can be resorted to without departing from the scope of this invention and such alterations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A combination fixture comprising: a housing having a water inlet and a pair of water outlets, a web separating said outlets from said inlet and having a port therethrough, one of said outlets having an extension projecting into said housing and provided with a flow passage communicating with said port, slots in said extension communicating with said flow passage and means communicating said slots with the remaining outlet.

2. A combination fixture comprising: a housing having a water inlet and a pair of water outlets, a web separating said outlets from said inlet and having a port therethrough, one of said outlets having an extension projecting into said housing and provided with a flow passage communicating with said port, slots in said extension communicating said flow passage with the remaining outlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 440,488 Lynde Nov. 11, 1890 1,058,330 Page Apr. 8, 1913 1,481,985 Chrisman Jan. 29, 1924 1,748,488 McCabe Feb. 25, 1930 1,856,367 Aaron May 3, 1932 2,274,787 Groen Mar. 3, 1942 2,663,539 Kersten Dec. 22, 1953 Disclaimer 2,875,702.-Ralph E. Bletcher and Irving A. Ward, Los Angeles, Calif. COM- BINATION FIXTURE. Patent dated Mar. 3, 1959. Disclaimer filed Feb. 23, 197 6, by the assignee, Pearl White Bletcher, part interest. Hereby enters this disclaimer to her entire interest in all claims of said patent.

[Ofiicz'al Gazette June 1, 1976.] 

